Nozzle arrangement for a motor vehicle washing unit and method for cleaning a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for a vehicle washing installation, a vehicle washing installation equipped with this nozzle arrangement, and to a method in which a drying nozzle ( 1 ) that can be rotated about a longitudinal axis ( 7 ) by a motor and two high-pressure hoses ( 2   a,    2   b ) parallel to the longitudinal axis ( 7 ) are provided with several high-pressure nozzles ( 13   a,    13   b ) for high-pressure cleaning. The high-pressure hoses ( 2   a,    2   b ) are supported so that they can rotate about their longitudinal axes ( 8   a,    8   b ) according to the invention and coupled to the drying nozzle ( 1 ) for common adjustment by means of a mechanism ( 14, 15   a,    15   b,    16; 17   a,    17   b,    18   a,    18   b ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for a vehicle washing installation, a vehicle washing installation equipped with this nozzle arrangement, and a method for cleaning a vehicle with such a nozzle arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nozzle arrangements for vehicle washing installations are known from the state of the art, which, in addition to a drying nozzle, also have switchable high-pressure hoses with high-pressure nozzles for washing the front and rear of a vehicle. However, in the known nozzle arrangements, the high-pressure nozzles of the switchable high-pressure hoses have a fixed alignment, i.e., a fixed angle of attack, in order to be able to wash the front and rear parts of a vehicle. However, an optimum angle of attack for the front and rear of a vehicle cannot be selected, because then the horizontal surfaces in the middle region of the vehicle (e.g., the roof) cannot be cleaned or can be cleaned only by including a third high-pressure hose.

In DE 199 16 654 C2, a nozzle arrangement according to this class is disclosed with a drying nozzle that can rotate about a longitudinal axis by means of a motor. The drying nozzle contains a nozzle housing that can pivot at least 360° with a slot-shaped outlet nozzle. At the area of the nozzle housing opposite the outlet nozzle there is a spraying hose extending in the direction of the pivot axis with several spraying nozzles for application of a cleaning or drying agent. There can be another spraying hose with spraying nozzles for supplying washing water for high-pressure cleaning. For adjusting the drying nozzle, there is a crown gear, in which a pinion driven by a servomotor engages, on the nozzle housing.

From EP 1 242 272 B 1, a vehicle washing installation is known which includes a vertical nozzle beam that can move on a frame for high-pressure cleaning of the front and side surfaces and a horizontal nozzle beam that can be adjusted in height on the frame for high-pressure cleaning of the roof area and the hood. However, in this known vehicle washing installation, separate drives for each nozzle beam are required for front and rear washing, as well as for washing the horizontal vehicle surfaces. Therefore, a correspondingly high expense in terms of drives and controls is necessary.

The problem of the invention is to create a nozzle arrangement of the type named above, a vehicle washing installation equipped with this nozzle arrangement, and a method for cleaning a vehicle with such a nozzle arrangement, which also enables reliable high-pressure cleaning and drying of a vehicle without high expenses in terms of controls and drives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This problem is solved by a nozzle arrangement, by a vehicle washing installation, and by a method according to the present invention.

An essential advantage of the nozzle arrangement according to the invention is that the nozzle position necessary for optimum cleaning of the various vehicle areas can be set even without a separate drive. The movement necessary for changing the nozzle position is derived from the pivoting movement of the existing drying nozzle by means of a corresponding mechanism. Through appropriate selection of the transmission ratio, an arbitrary pivot angle of the high-pressure hoses can be achieved for a preset pivot angle of the drying nozzle. Thus, e.g., the high-pressure nozzles can be pointed vertically downward for cleaning the horizontal surfaces, while the high-pressure nozzles for washing the front and rear are aligned horizontally or pointed slightly downward (e.g., at an angle of 15° to the horizontal).

In a particularly useful embodiment of the invention, the adjustment of the high-pressure hoses is combined with a switching device, by means of which the two high-pressure hoses can be charged alternately with the high-pressure cleaning fluid. In this way, with as little vibrational movement and as little control expense as possible, an optimum cleaning of the entire vehicle surface can be achieved.

The mechanism for transmitting the rotational movement of the drying nozzle to the two high-pressure hoses can be realized, e.g., as a chain or belt drive. However, the mechanism can also be realized as adjusting levers and pushrods or as friction gears or geared transmissions.

In another advantageous configuration, a nozzle hose that can pivot together with the drying nozzle is arranged in the drying nozzle with several spraying nozzles for spraying chemical cleaning agents. The spraying nozzles are aligned so that the chemical cleaning agent can be sprayed when needed through the outlet nozzle of the drying nozzle onto the vehicle surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional details and advantages of the invention result from the following description of two embodiments with reference to the drawing. Shown are:

FIG. 1, cross sections of a first embodiment of a nozzle arrangement for a vehicle washing installation in various operating positions;

FIG. 2, cross sections of a second embodiment of a nozzle arrangement for a vehicle washing installation in various operating positions; and

FIG. 3, a schematic representation of a method for cleaning a vehicle with a nozzle arrangement according to FIG. 1 or 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 and 2, two embodiments of a nozzle arrangement are shown in cross section with an adjustable drying nozzle 1 and two parallel, adjustable high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b for high-pressure cleaning of a vehicle in different operating positions.

The drying nozzle 1 contains an essentially tubular housing 4 with an outlet nozzle 5. An airflow generated by a blower and introduced into the housing 4 emerges from the outlet opening 6 of this outlet nozzle for drying a vehicle after the vehicle has been washed. The drying nozzle 1 is configured for the shown configuration as a horizontal drying nozzle, whose housing 4 and outlet nozzle 5 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over the entire vehicle width. The drying nozzle 1 and the two similarly horizontal high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b are arranged on a known, and therefore also only schematically indicated, gantry 10 of a gantry washing installation so that they can rotate about their longitudinal axes 7 or 8 a and 8 b and can be adjusted in height on a carrier 9, which is only shown schematically in FIG. 3. However, the nozzle arrangement can also be attached to a frame of a car wash so that it is adjustable in height. By means of a not-shown drive, the drying nozzle 1 can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis 7 by a motor. Within the housing 4 of the drying nozzle 1, for the shown configuration, there is a nozzle hose 11 that can pivot together with the drying nozzle 1 for spraying chemical cleaning agents. The nozzle hose 11 contains several spraying nozzles 12, which are aligned such that the cleaning agent can emerge from the outlet nozzle 5 of the drying nozzle 1.

The two high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b are arranged on the right and left of the drying nozzle 1 above the lower outlet opening 6 of the outlet nozzle 5. They contain several high-pressure nozzles 13 a or 13 b, which are distributed over the length of the high-pressure hoses 2 and through which a cleaning fluid, preferably water under high pressure, can be applied to the vehicle surface. The two high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b that can rotate about their longitudinal axes 8 and that extend parallel to the drying nozzle 1 are coupled to the drying nozzle 1 by means of a mechanism such that the high-pressure nozzles 13 a and 13 b are adjusted simultaneously with the rotation of the drying nozzle 1.

For the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the mechanism for transmitting the rotational movement of the drying nozzle 1 to the two high-pressure hoses 2 is realized as a chain or belt drive. It comprises a drive wheel 14 locked in rotation with the drying nozzle 1 and an adjustment wheel 15 a or 15 b, which is locked in rotation with the high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b and over which a chain or a belt 16 runs. In the case of a chain drive, the drive wheel 14 and the adjustment wheels 15 a and 15 b are formed as chain wheels. In contrast, if the mechanism is configured as a belt mechanism, the drive wheel 14 and the adjustment wheels 15 a and 15 b are realized as belt pulleys. In a low-noise and consequently positive-fit configuration, the mechanism can be configured, e.g., as a toothed-belt mechanism with a toothed belt and gears adapted to this belt.

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the mechanism is configured as a coupling mechanism with adjustment levers 17 a, 17 b and pushrods 18 a, 18 b. Each adjustment lever 17 a and 17 b is locked in rotation to the two high-pressure hoses 2. One end of each bent pushrod 18 a or 18 b is hinged to the free end of the adjustment lever 17 a and 17 b by means of a corresponding articulated pin 19 a and 19 b. The other ends of the two pushrods 18 a and 18 b are linked to the housing of the drying nozzle 1 offset to its longitudinal axis 7 by means of articulated pin 20. For the shown configuration, the articulated pin 20 is attached underneath the longitudinal axis 7 of the drying nozzle 1. The other components of the nozzle arrangement are realized according to the first embodiment and therefore also provided with the same reference symbols.

In the two previously described mechanisms, the transmission ratios are selected so that by pivoting the drying nozzle 1 between its extreme positions, the high-pressure nozzles 13 a and 13 b of the two high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b are also pivoted from a vertical position into a nearly horizontal position. Thus, a separate drive is not required for rotating the two high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b.

If the drying nozzle 1 is located in a middle position shown at the top in FIGS. 1 and 2 with outlet nozzle 6 pointed vertically downward, the two high-pressure nozzles 13 a and 13 b of the two high-pressure hoses 2 a and 2 b are pivoted to the right or left by an angle of 37.5° relative to their vertically downward position. If the drying nozzle 1 is rotated by 40° in the clockwise direction from its middle position according to the middle views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the high-pressure nozzles 13 a of the right high-pressure hose 2 a assume a vertically downward position and the high-pressure nozzles 13 b of the left high-pressure hose 2 b assume an angle of 75° relative to their vertically downward position. In contrast, if the drying nozzle 1 is rotated approximately 40° in the counterclockwise direction from its middle position, the high-pressure nozzles 13 a of the right high-pressure hose 2 a assume an angle of 75° relative to their vertically downward position and the high-pressure nozzles 13 b of the left high-pressure hose assume a vertically downward position.

In the following, the method for the high-pressure cleaning of a vehicle 21 is explained with the aid of the previously described nozzle arrangement with reference to FIG. 3, wherein it is assumed that the nozzle arrangement is arranged to be adjustable in height on the carrier 9 of the movable gantry 10 of a gantry washing installation. The construction of a gantry washing installation is known as such, so that the parts of the washing installation not required for understanding the invention have been omitted for reasons of clarity.

When the high-pressure cleaning begins, the nozzle arrangement is located in a bottom position shown at the bottom left according to FIG. 3 relative to the vehicle 21 to be cleaned, wherein the drying nozzle 1 assumes the pivot position shown at the bottom in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this position, the high-pressure nozzles 13 a of the front high-pressure hose 2 a facing the vehicle 21 are directed at a downward angle toward the vehicle front, while the high-pressure nozzles 13 b of the rear high-pressure hose 2 b point vertically downward. For cleaning the vertical front part of the vehicle, the nozzle arrangement moves upward, wherein the front high-pressure hose 2 a is charged with cleaning fluid under high pressure and the supply of the cleaning fluid to the rear high-pressure hose 2 b is disrupted.

If the nozzle arrangement is moved into this position over the top edge of the vehicle front, the nozzle arrangement follows the contours of the vehicle 21 and is moved at a preset distance first over the vehicle hood, the front windshield, and then the vehicle roof. Here, the supply of the cleaning agent to the front high-pressure hose 2 a is turned off and the rear high-pressure hose 2 b is charged with cleaning fluid under high pressure. For cleaning the vehicle hood, the front windshield, and the vehicle roof, the cleaning jet emerges from the high-pressure nozzles 13 b of the rear high-pressure hose 2 b.

For cleaning the inclined rear vehicle surfaces, the drying nozzle 1 can be rotated into its middle position while maintaining the cleaning agent supply to the rear high-pressure hose 2 b, wherein then the cleaning agent impacts the vehicle surfaces at an angle from above.

For cleaning the vertical rear surfaces, the drying nozzle 1 is rotated into the position shown in the middle in FIGS. 1 and 2. Then the high-pressure nozzles 13 b of the rear high-pressure hose 2 b again assume an angle of 75° relative to their vertically downward position and the spraying jet contacts the vehicle at a downward angle of 15° relative to the vertical.

In this way, with as little vibrational movement and as little control expense as possible, an optimum cleaning of the entire vehicle surface is achieved.

Through the nozzle hose 11 arranged within the drying nozzle 1, a chemical cleaning agent can be sprayed onto the vehicle surface.

After the high-pressure cleaning ends, the vehicle surface can be dried by means of the drying nozzle 1, wherein the drying nozzle 1 can be pivoted between the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 

1-16. (canceled)
 17. Nozzle arrangement for a vehicle washing installation with a drying nozzle that rotatably about a longitudinal axis by a motor and two high-pressure hoses parallel to the longitudinal axis with several high-pressure nozzles (13 a, 13 b) for high-pressure cleaning, wherein the high-pressure hoses are supported so that they can rotate about their longitudinal axes and are coupled to the drying nozzle for common adjustment by means of a mechanism.
 18. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the two high-pressure hoses can be charged alternately with cleaning fluid.
 19. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is formed as a chain or belt drive, which contains a drive wheel locked in rotation with the drying nozzle and an adjustment wheel, which is locked in rotation with the high-pressure hoses and over which a chain or a belt runs.
 20. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is configured as a coupling mechanism with adjustment levers and pushrods.
 21. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 20, wherein an adjustment lever is locked in rotation to each high-pressure hose.
 22. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 20, wherein one end of each pushrod is linked by an articulated pin to the free ends of the adjustment lever and that the other ends of the pushrods are linked to the drying nozzle by means of an articulated pin.
 23. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the drying nozzle contains an essentially tubular housing with an outlet nozzle.
 24. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 17, wherein a nozzle hose that can pivot together with the drying nozzle is arranged in the drying nozzle with spraying nozzles for spraying chemical cleaning agents.
 25. Nozzle arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the spraying nozzles of the nozzle hose are aligned such that the chemical cleaning agent can emerge from the outlet nozzle of the drying nozzle.
 26. Vehicle washing installation, wherein the installation contains a nozzle arrangement according to claim
 17. 27. Vehicle washing installation according to claim 26, wherein the drying nozzle and the two high-pressure hoses are supported so that they can rotate on a height-adjustable carrier.
 28. Vehicle washing installation according to claim 27, wherein the carrier is arranged on a gantry of a gantry washing installation that can move in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
 29. Vehicle washing installation according to claim 28, wherein the carrier is arranged on a frame of a car wash.
 30. Method for operating a vehicle washing installation with a nozzle arrangement according to claim 17, wherein the high-pressure hoses are adjusted through the rotation of the drying nozzle.
 31. Method according to claim 30, wherein the front high-pressure hose pointing toward the vehicle for high-pressure cleaning of the front of a vehicle and the rear high-pressure hose for high-pressure cleaning of the vehicle hood, the vehicle roof, and the vehicle trunk are charged with cleaning fluid under high pressure.
 32. Method according to claim 30, wherein the high-pressure nozzles of the high-pressure hoses can rotate through the rotation of the drying nozzle between a vertically downward position and a horizontal position or a position inclined slightly downward relative to the horizontal position. 